. >> reporter: captain keith benoit leads a joint patrol of u.s. and iraqi troops through zumar. two weeks ago an ied went off here. american intelligence is warning of an attack in the coming days. benoit's primary job is training the iraqis, something that is finally starting to pay off. >> we live, we work with them, we patrol with them. there's nothing we don't do together. >> reporter: it wasn't always that way. sergeant clint davis recalls on his first tour here in anbar province, the local police actually launched an attack on his men. they shot at you? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: when you were meant to be their partners? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: now you come back and you are working with them. >> yes, sir. day and night. a completely different attitude. >> reporter: u.s. combat operations may be ending here and the overall level of violence may be down. but the war is not over. for the 50,000 troops that are staying here, the risks are very real. after 15 years in the military and three tours in iraq, sergeant first class robert reich knows you can never be too careful. >>